HOLY SEE/CUBA: FREEING OSCAR BISCET

C O N F I D E N T I A L VATICAN 000019 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR WHA/CCA E.O. 12958: DECL: 1/31/2018 TAGS: PREL PHUM CU VT SUBJECT: HOLY SEE/CUBA: FREEING OSCAR BISCET REF: State 7939 CLASSIFIED BY: Christopher Sandrolini, Charge d'affaires, EXEC, State. REASON: 1.4 (d) ¶1. (C) Charge d'affaires called on Monsignor Pietro Parolin, the Holy See's Undersecretary for Relations With States (i.e., deputy foreign minister) January 31 to urge (per reftel) that Elsa Morejon be granted an audience with Pope Benedict XVI regarding her appeal for her husband, Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet, to be freed from prison. Monsignor Angelo Accattino and Poloff were also present. Parolin promised to convey the request. ¶2. (C) In this context, Parolin also briefly discussed the forthcoming visit to Cuba of Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Secretary of State (i.e., prime minister). Bertone will be in SIPDIS Cuba February 20-26 and is scheduled to meet Raul Castro; a meeting with Fidel Castro has not yet been confirmed. Parolin noted that the fact of Bertone's visit made this a sensitive time for the Holy See with regard to Cuba. He also said that Bertone would certainly be discussing human rights and political prisoners with the GOC during his visit. ¶3. (SBU) Post will report promptly once we hear more about our request from the Holy See. SANDROLINI